Casey: $1.7 Million Awarded to Pittsburgh International Airport

Funding will also Help Strengthen Pittsburgh Airport’s Military Partnerships with the 911th, 171st and the Navy Operations Support Center

Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today announced that a grant for $1.7 million has been awarded to the Pittsburgh International Airport by the Department of Transportation through the FAA.

“The Pittsburgh International Airport is critical to southwestern Pennsylvania’s economy,” said Senator Casey. “This grant will help make key improvements at the airport to keep passengers safe. It will also strengthen the partnership between Pittsburgh International and area military installations including the 911th Airlift Wing, the 171st Air Refueling Wing , and the newly relocated, Navy Operations Support Center. ”

“I wish to express my thanks to Senator Bob Casey, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the FAA for their support of aviation in Allegheny County. These grants will go toward the continuing work on Runway 14/32 and ensuring the safety of our customers and passengers, which is the Airport Authority’s top priority,” said James R. Gill, Allegheny County Airport Authority Acting Executive Director.

A grant of $1,095,470 has been awarded for the rehabilitation of the Runway 14/32 pavement that has reached the end of its useful life. Construction on this project began in 2010, and the grant will go toward the fourth of six construction phases, which will ultimately provide 375 feet of additional runway pavement. Runway 14/32 is a crosswind runway and work will not interfere with normal aircraft operations at the airport.

The second grant, totaling $624,676, is for the purchase of an Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicle to assist Pittsburgh International Airport in emergency response. The rapid intervention vehicle, which is equipped with a high reach extendable turret, is a critical piece of equipment to our initial response to aircraft emergencies. It will replace a 12-year old vehicle.